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KIEV — Cash-strapped Ukraine today reminded entertainers making money by posing as Did Moroz --
the local version of Santa Claus -- and his helpers to pay income tax.

The former Soviet republic’s government faces $9 billion in foreign debt repayments next
year, and its budget deficit almost tripled in January-October this year to more than $4 billion.

By studying Internet advertisements, the state tax service found out that a Did Moroz with a
traditional female Snihuronka (Snow Maid) helper would earn 250 to 3,500 hryvnias ($30 to $440) per
hour in capital Kiev this season.

“Such citizens will need to file forms and pay taxes,” the tax service said in a statement.

The service said it was barred from conducting tax checks on small businesses but urged
ordinary Ukrainians to report tax-dodging Santas.